Author Topic: 2018 FIRE cohort  (Read 738151 times)

JLTinVA

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1100 on: January 23, 2018, 01:18:02 PM »
I officially gave notice! Right now I'm going with the "open-ended sabbatical" story, although it's coming back to me as "I heard you're taking a year-long sabbatical, that's great!" (I don't bother correcting the timeframe.)

We sell our condo this Friday, then we're staying with a dear friend for 2 weeks while I wrap up at work. FIRE starts with 2 weeks in Florida in February to visit family, then 3 weeks in Hawaii in March.

I absolutely cannot wait for February 9th to arrive. I get a silly grin on my face every time I think about it.

SwordGuy

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1101 on: January 23, 2018, 04:27:51 PM »
Turned in my official, printed and signed resignation letter today.   

Told my colleagues at work to expect the market to plummet now that I had done this.

Went back to my desk and saw that the Dow was down for the day.   

I guess I should cross-post this in https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/investor-alley/top-is-in now that we have a definitive reason for the market to collapse.

DavidAnnArbor

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1102 on: January 23, 2018, 07:42:12 PM »
But the more important SP 500 index was actually up a quarter of a percent today.

SwordGuy

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1103 on: January 23, 2018, 09:15:48 PM »
But the more important SP 500 index was actually up a quarter of a percent today.

I don't stress about the stock market though I would prefer it stays up for several years.

$65k of our $75k planned FIRE budget comes from non-stock sources.  (Farm rental, home rentals, social security.)
That $10k shortfall that we'll depend on stocks for is about a 0.7% SWR, so I'm pretty sure we'll be fine.   If we sell our old home over the next 6 months we shouldn't have to sell any of our stock to support ourselves.

If we don't sell it in the next 3 months we'll have to sell some stock to cover repair costs on our flip house.   Other than taxes and possibly missing out on market gains, it shouldn't matter much.

Monkey Uncle

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1104 on: January 24, 2018, 04:10:14 AM »
Congrats to JLTinVA and Swordguy for making it official!

JLT, just curious, why are you going with the sabbatical story instead of coming clean about the fact that you aren't coming back?

DavidAnnArbor

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1105 on: January 24, 2018, 06:57:09 AM »
But the more important SP 500 index was actually up a quarter of a percent today.

I don't stress about the stock market though I would prefer it stays up for several years.

$65k of our $75k planned FIRE budget comes from non-stock sources.  (Farm rental, home rentals, social security.)
That $10k shortfall that we'll depend on stocks for is about a 0.7% SWR, so I'm pretty sure we'll be fine.   If we sell our old home over the next 6 months we shouldn't have to sell any of our stock to support ourselves.

If we don't sell it in the next 3 months we'll have to sell some stock to cover repair costs on our flip house.   Other than taxes and possibly missing out on market gains, it shouldn't matter much.

You're on a very solid financial footing, and I can relate to some of the anxiety of letting go the accumulation phase, squirreling away as much as possible.

JLTinVA

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1106 on: January 24, 2018, 10:05:19 AM »
JLT, just curious, why are you going with the sabbatical story instead of coming clean about the fact that you aren't coming back?

The main reason is that my colleagues don't need to know that much about my finances. I've always said it's open-ended and that if I decide to work again, it won't be in my current field. People can't seem to wrap their minds around that!

Agent Rosenflower

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1107 on: January 24, 2018, 05:46:22 PM »
Holy shit, I’m quitting my job!

I gave verbal notice this morning. It wasn’t a surprise to my boss and he was quite kind about it. I said I wanted to leave in April and he asked if we could make it the end of June. I said I’d think about it. So nothing in writing, but no turning the ship around now either.

I told my husband and he was impressed but surprised. I don’t think he thought
I’d ever really do it. Thanks to this community- I don’t think I’d have had the courage to go the last mile without having good role models and positive reinforcement.

It hasn’t really sunk in yet because I’ve  been horribly ill with strep all week, and all I can think about is how awful I feel. I basically went in to work this morning just long enough to quit. Then I came home and took a 3 hour nap.

CowboyAndIndian

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1108 on: January 24, 2018, 05:58:48 PM »
Welcome to the cohort Agent Rosenflower!


01/01/18  CowboyAndIndian (at 59) CONFIRMED
01/04/18  Gimesalot (at 33) CONFIRMED
01/06/18  Monkey Uncle (at 49) CONFIRMED
01/26/18  PizzaSteve (at 53) CONFIRMED
01/31/18  patches
01/31/18  Wintergreen78
01/31/18  MomCPA
01/??/18  FIBy30
01/??/18  PrePube
02/01/18  DTaggart
02/09/18  JLTinVA (at 42)
02/16/18  Gimesalot DH (at 40)
02/26/18  Aegishjalmur (at 35)
02/28/18  brooklynguy (at 37)
02/28/18  Caoineag (at 36)
03/16/18  Cherry Lane
03/31/18  CheapskateWife
03/31/18  homestead neohio
03/31/18  Mrbeardedbigbucks
03/31/18  ZiziPB (at 50)
03/31/18  DavidAnnArbor (at 52) (Won't renew my office lease)
03/??/18  Badblackgirl
03/??/18  Clean Shaven
03/??/18  Sofa King
03/??/18  MiserlyMiser
03/??/18  Acastus
04/01/18  Mrs. Honeyfill
04/02/18  Honeyfill  (at 60)
04/19/18  NinetyFour (at 56)
04/27/18  poppydog and DW
04/??/18  Calvin
04/??/18  FernFree
04/??/18  Gooki
04/??/18  lostformars
~04/??/18 HappyMargo
~04/??/18 Mother Fussbudget
~04/??/18 Agent Rosenflower
05/01/18  SwordGuy (at 60)
05/08/18  SwordGuy DW (SwordGuy isn't saying.   He wants to live.)
05/04/18  wordnerd and DH (at 30 and 36)
05/04/18  step_away
05/15/18  Markbike528CBX (at 53.5)
05/25/18  Gyosho
05/??/18  Alim Nassor
05/??/18  msilenus
06/15/18  DavisGang90 (at 49)
06/25/18  MaybeBabyMustache (at 42)
06/29/18  aperture
06/30/18  TartanTallulah
06/??/18  Cheddar Stacker
06/??/18  dbtx
06/??/18  Omalley
06/??/18  randomgiraffe
06/??/18  SwissMiss
~06/??/18 Pylortes
07/??/18  AussieGirl
07/??/18  ChasesFish
07/??/18  Mr Griz
~07/??/18 BackAndForth
~07/??/18 cerat0n1a
~07/??/18 Fresh Bread
~07/??/18 SnidelyWhiplashStache
08/01/18  SugarMountain
08/24/18  sol (at 41)
08/??/18  Mr Mark
08/??/18  NorCalistache
08/??/18  RunningWithScissors
09/30/18  SwissMiss
10/05/18  JumboShrimp
10/??/18  Fire1018
10/??/18  Happy
10/??/18  Irishtache
10/25/18 PhilB (at 52)
11/??/18  DeSteeg
11/??/18  Kris
12/01/18  Vegasgirl (at 49)
12/21/18  LateStarter
12/??/18  EnjoyIt
12/??/18  yoda34
??/??/18  Blindsquirrel
??/??/18  Michread
??/??/18  Minnesota_mom
??/??/18  OzBeach -- WIGLO (When I Get Laid Off)
??/??/18  thriftycanadian
??/??/18  pecunia
??/??/18  FLStache


honeyfill

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1109 on: January 25, 2018, 11:44:01 AM »
Quote
Holy shit, I’m quitting my job!

I gave verbal notice this morning. It wasn’t a surprise to my boss and he was quite kind about it. I said I wanted to leave in April and he asked if we could make it the end of June. I said I’d think about it. So nothing in writing, but no turning the ship around now either.

Congratulations Agent Rosenflower, Its a big step to finally get it out there.  Yesterday I finally had to tell my boss that I was retiring. I did not do a good enough job keeping it a secret and the rumors were starting to spread so I wanted him to hear it directly from me.  I told him sometime between April 2 and January 2. Lots of reasons to do it early and lots of reasons to delay.  I wont go into them all now but I will say that I have made more in the market since January 1 than my kitchen remodel will cost. I am pulling the money out now and will pay it all off at once.  That gets rid of my major reason for procrastination and takes some of my equity gains off the table before the inevitable market  crash. I'm running out of excuses to delay the big day! I'm keeping my date at April 2 but I'm like the kid on the high diving board who is afraid to take the leap.

sol

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1110 on: January 25, 2018, 12:00:33 PM »
I will say that I have made more in the market since January 1 than my kitchen remodel will cost

I'm pretty sure everyone in this thread is currently making more money in the stock market than at their job.  2% per week gains in 2018?  At this rate we'd have to close out 2018 at sp500 over 5k or Dow 50k.  It seems ridiculous to me.  Surely there will be a pause at some point?

If the market stays flat for the next 49 weeks, it will still have been a good year.  I try not to watch my balances too closely, but it's hard to resist when they're rising tens of thousands per week.  Anybody who hasn't been paying attention since Christmas is in for a pleasant surprise.

Gimesalot

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1111 on: January 25, 2018, 12:04:40 PM »
Congratulations Agent Rosenflower and Honeyfill!  I found that giving notice was the most difficult part. After that, it was sooth sailing. 

CheapskateWife

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1112 on: January 25, 2018, 12:16:16 PM »
Not sure how it happened, but there seems to be confusion on my date...I'm still at 5/25/2018.  Added DH along with our ages.
Congrats to all for being in your retirement year!

01/01/18  CowboyAndIndian (at 59) CONFIRMED
01/04/18  Gimesalot (at 33) CONFIRMED
01/06/18  Monkey Uncle (at 49) CONFIRMED
01/26/18  PizzaSteve (at 53) CONFIRMED
01/31/18  patches
01/31/18  Wintergreen78
01/31/18  MomCPA
01/??/18  FIBy30
01/??/18  PrePube
02/01/18  DTaggart
02/09/18  JLTinVA (at 42)
02/16/18  Gimesalot DH (at 40)
02/26/18  Aegishjalmur (at 35)
02/28/18  brooklynguy (at 37)
02/28/18  Caoineag (at 36)
03/16/18  Cherry Lane
03/31/18  homestead neohio
03/31/18  Mrbeardedbigbucks
03/31/18  ZiziPB (at 50)
03/31/18  DavidAnnArbor (at 52) (Won't renew my office lease)
03/??/18  Badblackgirl
03/??/18  Clean Shaven
03/??/18  Sofa King
03/??/18  MiserlyMiser
03/??/18  Acastus
04/01/18  Mrs. Honeyfill
04/02/18  Honeyfill  (at 60)
04/19/18  NinetyFour (at 56)
04/27/18  poppydog and DW
04/??/18  Calvin
04/??/18  FernFree
04/??/18  Gooki
04/??/18  lostformars
~04/??/18 HappyMargo
~04/??/18 Mother Fussbudget
~04/??/18 Agent Rosenflower
05/01/18  SwordGuy (at 60)
05/08/18  SwordGuy DW (SwordGuy isn't saying.   He wants to live.)
05/04/18  wordnerd and DH (at 30 and 36)
05/04/18  step_away
05/15/18  Markbike528CBX (at 53.5)
05/25/18  Gyosho
05/25/18  CheapskateWife (at 42) and CheapskateHubs (at 49)
05/??/18  Alim Nassor
05/??/18  msilenus
06/15/18  DavisGang90 (at 49)
06/25/18  MaybeBabyMustache (at 42)
06/29/18  aperture
06/30/18  TartanTallulah
06/??/18  Cheddar Stacker
06/??/18  dbtx
06/??/18  Omalley
06/??/18  randomgiraffe
06/??/18  SwissMiss
~06/??/18 Pylortes
07/??/18  AussieGirl
07/??/18  ChasesFish
07/??/18  Mr Griz
~07/??/18 BackAndForth
~07/??/18 cerat0n1a
~07/??/18 Fresh Bread
~07/??/18 SnidelyWhiplashStache
08/01/18  SugarMountain
08/24/18  sol (at 41)
08/??/18  Mr Mark
08/??/18  NorCalistache
08/??/18  RunningWithScissors
09/30/18  SwissMiss
10/05/18  JumboShrimp
10/??/18  Fire1018
10/??/18  Happy
10/??/18  Irishtache
10/25/18 PhilB (at 52)
11/??/18  DeSteeg
11/??/18  Kris
12/01/18  Vegasgirl (at 49)
12/21/18  LateStarter
12/??/18  EnjoyIt
12/??/18  yoda34
??/??/18  Blindsquirrel
??/??/18  Michread
??/??/18  Minnesota_mom
??/??/18  OzBeach -- WIGLO (When I Get Laid Off)
??/??/18  thriftycanadian
??/??/18  pecunia
??/??/18  FLStache


CowboyAndIndian

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1113 on: January 25, 2018, 01:35:02 PM »
I went back to work this week after a 14 month sabbatical (or gap year). You can imagine how that felt. On day one I arranged a meeting with my supervisor and big boss to formally request that I be considered for a redundancy package. There are still hurdles to go through and nothing is guaranteed, but the wheels are in motion.

WIGLO in action!

Best of luck, hope you get the package...

TartanTallulah

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1114 on: January 25, 2018, 01:44:21 PM »
Blech. I'm off the list. A few weeks ago I learned that a colleague slightly older than me was already FI and suspected they might retire ahead of schedule. They gave notice yesterday and will leave in the summer. Due to the terms of our contract, I'm now tied till early 2019.

It's only a small setback. I'm not melting down, I'll suck it up. On the upside, it means that I'll be able to take my pension as soon as I retire and my bridging fund plus whatever I can save from my next fourteen paychecks will become extra spending money

CowboyAndIndian

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1115 on: January 25, 2018, 02:58:14 PM »
Sorry CheapSkateWife, that was my mistake.

Goodbye TartanTallulah, I was expecting this after reading the 2019 cohort thread. Best of luck!


01/01/18  CowboyAndIndian (at 59) CONFIRMED
01/04/18  Gimesalot (at 33) CONFIRMED
01/06/18  Monkey Uncle (at 49) CONFIRMED
01/26/18  PizzaSteve (at 53) CONFIRMED
01/31/18  patches
01/31/18  Wintergreen78
01/31/18  MomCPA
01/??/18  FIBy30
01/??/18  PrePube
02/01/18  DTaggart
02/09/18  JLTinVA (at 42)
02/16/18  Gimesalot DH (at 40)
02/26/18  Aegishjalmur (at 35)
02/28/18  brooklynguy (at 37)
02/28/18  Caoineag (at 36)
03/16/18  Cherry Lane
03/31/18  homestead neohio
03/31/18  Mrbeardedbigbucks
03/31/18  ZiziPB (at 50)
03/31/18  DavidAnnArbor (at 52) (Won't renew my office lease)
03/??/18  Badblackgirl
03/??/18  Clean Shaven
03/??/18  Sofa King
03/??/18  MiserlyMiser
03/??/18  Acastus
04/01/18  Mrs. Honeyfill
04/02/18  Honeyfill  (at 60)
04/19/18  NinetyFour (at 56)
04/27/18  poppydog and DW
04/??/18  Calvin
04/??/18  FernFree
04/??/18  Gooki
04/??/18  lostformars
~04/??/18 HappyMargo
~04/??/18 Mother Fussbudget
~04/??/18 Agent Rosenflower
05/01/18  SwordGuy (at 60)
05/08/18  SwordGuy DW (SwordGuy isn't saying.   He wants to live.)
05/04/18  wordnerd and DH (at 30 and 36)
05/04/18  step_away
05/15/18  Markbike528CBX (at 53.5)
05/25/18  Gyosho
05/25/18  CheapskateWife (at 42) and CheapskateHubs (at 49)
05/??/18  Alim Nassor
05/??/18  msilenus
06/15/18  DavisGang90 (at 49)
06/25/18  MaybeBabyMustache (at 42)
06/29/18  aperture
06/??/18  Cheddar Stacker
06/??/18  dbtx
06/??/18  Omalley
06/??/18  randomgiraffe
06/??/18  SwissMiss
~06/??/18 Pylortes
07/??/18  AussieGirl
07/??/18  ChasesFish
07/??/18  Mr Griz
~07/??/18 BackAndForth
~07/??/18 cerat0n1a
~07/??/18 Fresh Bread
~07/??/18 SnidelyWhiplashStache
08/01/18  SugarMountain
08/24/18  sol (at 41)
08/??/18  Mr Mark
08/??/18  NorCalistache
08/??/18  RunningWithScissors
09/30/18  SwissMiss
10/05/18  JumboShrimp
10/??/18  Fire1018
10/??/18  Happy
10/??/18  Irishtache
10/25/18 PhilB (at 52)
11/??/18  DeSteeg
11/??/18  Kris
12/01/18  Vegasgirl (at 49)
12/21/18  LateStarter
12/??/18  EnjoyIt
12/??/18  yoda34
??/??/18  Blindsquirrel
??/??/18  Michread
??/??/18  Minnesota_mom
??/??/18  OzBeach -- WIGLO (When I Get Laid Off)
??/??/18  thriftycanadian
??/??/18  pecunia
??/??/18  FLStache

tooqk4u22

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1116 on: January 26, 2018, 09:06:15 AM »
I will say that I have made more in the market since January 1 than my kitchen remodel will cost

I'm pretty sure everyone in this thread is currently making more money in the stock market than at their job.  2% per week gains in 2018?  At this rate we'd have to close out 2018 at sp500 over 5k or Dow 50k.  It seems ridiculous to me.  Surely there will be a pause at some point?

If the market stays flat for the next 49 weeks, it will still have been a good year.  I try not to watch my balances too closely, but it's hard to resist when they're rising tens of thousands per week.  Anybody who hasn't been paying attention since Christmas is in for a pleasant surprise.

I look forward to being surprised when I look at month end ;).    Not sure I got last year, I certainly don't get this year if what you say is the case.  I just think of the phrases "What goes up must go down" or "Easy come easy go"  but I like it. 

DTaggart

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1117 on: January 26, 2018, 09:40:04 AM »
One week to go, and I've already gotten unsolicited leads on 2 new jobs (which I do NOT want lol). Is anyone else experiencing this?

One was from a guy who used to work in our office but has gone back to his agency and is the "boss" there now, he was back for a class and gave me his card and told me to call him if I wanted or needed to go back to work. They are the last agency on the planet I would want to work for (very disorganized), but its always nice to know there are options.

Then my husband (who teaches very part-time at the local community college) had a departmental gathering and apparently was telling his boss about me, who said to have me contact him if I ever wanted to get into teaching there.

Meanwhile, I'm cleaning up my desk and having fun giving away all my decorative trinkets to various coworkers "to remember me by". People are putting in dibs on pieces of my equipment, heck my chair got claimed two weeks ago :)

Patches

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1118 on: January 26, 2018, 09:47:32 AM »
One week to go, and I've already gotten unsolicited leads on 2 new jobs (which I do NOT want lol). Is anyone else experiencing this?

One was from a guy who used to work in our office but has gone back to his agency and is the "boss" there now, he was back for a class and gave me his card and told me to call him if I wanted or needed to go back to work. They are the last agency on the planet I would want to work for (very disorganized), but its always nice to know there are options.

Then my husband (who teaches very part-time at the local community college) had a departmental gathering and apparently was telling his boss about me, who said to have me contact him if I ever wanted to get into teaching there.

Meanwhile, I'm cleaning up my desk and having fun giving away all my decorative trinkets to various coworkers "to remember me by". People are putting in dibs on pieces of my equipment, heck my chair got claimed two weeks ago :)

Haha, that's awesome.  A previous employer caught wind of my departure and has also offered me my old job back.  It was flattering... but it was lumber trading and something I've fled from twice already in my career. Basically an extremely high-reward violently cut-throat sales job.  Good money if you can get ramped up, but man... soul sucking work done solely for money.

And I'm a sentimental sap, so I'll be keeping all my trinkets, thank you.

Gyosho

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1119 on: January 26, 2018, 09:49:45 AM »
I mentioned to my boss that I was "probably" going to retire, and now he's doing a hard sell trying to get me to stay. "You can work for just one more year..." he says.

Not that he's offered me any more money ... yet. I'm kind of curious to see if he will.

Help me stay strong, FIRE team.

SugarMountain

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1120 on: January 26, 2018, 10:17:42 AM »
Holy shit, I’m quitting my job!

I gave verbal notice this morning. It wasn’t a surprise to my boss and he was quite kind about it. I said I wanted to leave in April and he asked if we could make it the end of June. I said I’d think about it. So nothing in writing, but no turning the ship around now either.

I told my husband and he was impressed but surprised. I don’t think he thought
I’d ever really do it. Thanks to this community- I don’t think I’d have had the courage to go the last mile without having good role models and positive reinforcement.

It hasn’t really sunk in yet because I’ve  been horribly ill with strep all week, and all I can think about is how awful I feel. I basically went in to work this morning just long enough to quit. Then I came home and took a 3 hour nap.

Congratulations!

One thing I don't get is I'm seeing a lot of people give really long notices.  What's up with that?  Maybe I'm a jerk, but nobody I work with or for is going to know I'm leaving until 2 weeks before I do.

Patches

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1121 on: January 26, 2018, 10:31:37 AM »
Holy shit, I’m quitting my job!

I gave verbal notice this morning. It wasn’t a surprise to my boss and he was quite kind about it. I said I wanted to leave in April and he asked if we could make it the end of June. I said I’d think about it. So nothing in writing, but no turning the ship around now either.

I told my husband and he was impressed but surprised. I don’t think he thought
I’d ever really do it. Thanks to this community- I don’t think I’d have had the courage to go the last mile without having good role models and positive reinforcement.

It hasn’t really sunk in yet because I’ve  been horribly ill with strep all week, and all I can think about is how awful I feel. I basically went in to work this morning just long enough to quit. Then I came home and took a 3 hour nap.

Congratulations!

One thing I don't get is I'm seeing a lot of people give really long notices.  What's up with that?  Maybe I'm a jerk, but nobody I work with or for is going to know I'm leaving until 2 weeks before I do.

Haha I totally agree!  I've explained mine a few times, cuz I didn't think it was something to considered normal... but I'm an owner in the company I'm quitting so I wanted to give a lot of notice to smooth out my transition and protect my investment.

However, I've always been an "I exchange services for money" kind of person. So I never really understood the loyalty aspect a person has to their employer.  Seems to me the employer is in debt to the employee and makes good on the debt every pay day.  But I know that's not really a popular view... a lot of employers also have a "we're a family" type work environment for a variety of reasons.

Caoineag

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1122 on: January 26, 2018, 11:06:16 AM »

Congratulations!

One thing I don't get is I'm seeing a lot of people give really long notices.  What's up with that?  Maybe I'm a jerk, but nobody I work with or for is going to know I'm leaving until 2 weeks before I do.

My DH won't give more then 2 weeks but I gave two months. Our unemployment rate here is somewhere around 3% and my HR person can't even find someone qualified to even respond (she has posted three different versions of my job). I was getting told weekly by every person here I had job security because my skill set is unique. I have even been told that they would hire me back no matter what when I am done if I want. I did it to avoid the sheer panic that 2 week notice would trigger. I don't like seeing people distraught around me. Because I gave 2 months, everyone is working on developing their abilities to fill as much of the gap as they can.

SugarMountain

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1123 on: January 26, 2018, 11:27:05 AM »

Congratulations!

One thing I don't get is I'm seeing a lot of people give really long notices.  What's up with that?  Maybe I'm a jerk, but nobody I work with or for is going to know I'm leaving until 2 weeks before I do.

My DH won't give more then 2 weeks but I gave two months. Our unemployment rate here is somewhere around 3% and my HR person can't even find someone qualified to even respond (she has posted three different versions of my job). I was getting told weekly by every person here I had job security because my skill set is unique. I have even been told that they would hire me back no matter what when I am done if I want. I did it to avoid the sheer panic that 2 week notice would trigger. I don't like seeing people distraught around me. Because I gave 2 months, everyone is working on developing their abilities to fill as much of the gap as they can.

Are you at a smallish company? I suspect that's part of it.

markbike528CBX

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1124 on: January 26, 2018, 11:45:45 AM »
@DTaggart  I'll keep many of my trinkets, but I've earmarked one that I got for a project/design not yet successful.
A new colleague has really stepped up in this project and he really deserves it if/when the finished item goes out the door.
If he had not been here, I'd have blown a gasket (think steam out the  ears) or said bad things.

I made the mistake of giving 7 months notice.   All I want to do is just not be there.  I like my job generally.  But I found I'm doing more market watching, and MMM forum browsing than real job stuff.   I'm taking fridays off till I'm done in May.  I don't think that my boss has really processed that I am working 4-8's.

CowboyAndIndian

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1125 on: January 26, 2018, 12:09:13 PM »
One week to go, and I've already gotten unsolicited leads on 2 new jobs (which I do NOT want lol). Is anyone else experiencing this?

Yup, me too. One friend from a big bank asked if I wanted to join there.

Yesterday, a friend offered a part-time C++/Linux job developing for the backend for a top 1000 web site.

RunningWithScissors

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1126 on: January 26, 2018, 12:24:37 PM »
I'm also considering giving lots of notice to my employer.  When I was hired 2 years ago, I first heard about the position in October and started work 7 months later.  It takes a ridiculous amount of time to fill a position where I work.  And, we're currently in a hiring freeze so the existing vacant position in our team of four hasn't been filled even after a year.  My planned 2018 FIRE date is going to have an impact on the team, leaving one competent person doing the work of four, so out of consideration for that poor soul, I'm planning to give notice 3 months in advance.  YMMV

TartanTallulah

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1127 on: January 26, 2018, 12:35:26 PM »
Holy shit, I’m quitting my job!

I gave verbal notice this morning. It wasn’t a surprise to my boss and he was quite kind about it. I said I wanted to leave in April and he asked if we could make it the end of June. I said I’d think about it. So nothing in writing, but no turning the ship around now either.

I told my husband and he was impressed but surprised. I don’t think he thought
I’d ever really do it. Thanks to this community- I don’t think I’d have had the courage to go the last mile without having good role models and positive reinforcement.

It hasn’t really sunk in yet because I’ve  been horribly ill with strep all week, and all I can think about is how awful I feel. I basically went in to work this morning just long enough to quit. Then I came home and took a 3 hour nap.

Congratulations!

One thing I don't get is I'm seeing a lot of people give really long notices.  What's up with that?  Maybe I'm a jerk, but nobody I work with or for is going to know I'm leaving until 2 weeks before I do.

We're obliged to give at least three months' notice, and it's conventional to give a longer period to allow plenty of time for recruitment of a replacement, who is also likely to be tied to three or more months' notice.

Caoineag

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1128 on: January 26, 2018, 01:29:38 PM »

Congratulations!

One thing I don't get is I'm seeing a lot of people give really long notices.  What's up with that?  Maybe I'm a jerk, but nobody I work with or for is going to know I'm leaving until 2 weeks before I do.

My DH won't give more then 2 weeks but I gave two months. Our unemployment rate here is somewhere around 3% and my HR person can't even find someone qualified to even respond (she has posted three different versions of my job). I was getting told weekly by every person here I had job security because my skill set is unique. I have even been told that they would hire me back no matter what when I am done if I want. I did it to avoid the sheer panic that 2 week notice would trigger. I don't like seeing people distraught around me. Because I gave 2 months, everyone is working on developing their abilities to fill as much of the gap as they can.

Are you at a smallish company? I suspect that's part of it.

My location is smallish, less than 20 people (the overall firm is enormous but that section is geographically very far from us) so yes that does make a difference. If I was a nameless cog, I would definitely give only 2 weeks notice.

Gimesalot

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1129 on: January 28, 2018, 09:47:58 AM »
Typically I would have given two weeks notice but I work on-site for a client which makes it more difficult to replace me.  Also, I  quit during the holidays, so there was at least a week and a half where everyone was out.

My husband gave three MONTHS notice.  I was totally against it, but he had wanted to give six months notice so we agreed to meet in the middle at 3.  His workplace is a wreck and he didn't want to leave them high and dry since it will be his last restaurant industry job.  He wanted to leave on super good terms should he ever have to go back to work in a restaurant.

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1130 on: January 28, 2018, 11:33:17 AM »
I gave 7 1/2 month's notice and found my replacement for them.

But I've worked places where 2 weeks would have been the maximum I would give them.   

If I were worried about management tossing me out the door early or cutting my bonus, I wouldn't give extra notice.  Given that the max my "bonus" would be was $100, and I'm FIRING 7 1/2 months later than I have to in order not to FIRE that much earlier than my spouse, getting replaced early for doing the right thing would have been a bonus. :)


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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1131 on: January 28, 2018, 11:34:55 AM »
Forgot to mention, I went the extra mile for my client.  My current employer deserves no loyalty beyond the bare minimum expected of any employee, i.e., do your job and don't cause problems.

aperture

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1132 on: January 28, 2018, 09:12:12 PM »
i gave 8 months notice because there is a hiring cycle for my profession and it would take that long to replace me.  Of course my bosses have sat on their thumbs and not yet taken needed steps to replace me, so it looks like i could have skipped the early notice.

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1133 on: January 29, 2018, 04:32:42 AM »
Ugh, I'm still reeling from a two separate work "surprises" on Friday that throws a huge wrench into my idea of coasting through 2018.  My top employee is leaving for a lateral move at another company because of a lot of issues outside my control.  I'm happy for her leaving, even though I don't think it meets what her long term goals.  Its going to create a much more painful existence for me.  Second that with a preview of the comp plan we're paid on for 2018 and the likelihood of working harder for less in this final year...

Eh...I have commenced pulling a lever I've held off on for a long time, alternate arrangement.  Work remote in a different role, a sabbatical (that would allow me to collect some deferred comp), or requesting a layoff.  The third would be a cartwheels for weeks moment, but we'll see if any of this can happen.  None may and I just quietly take it and deliver a one month retirement notice in just over 4 months.

Target2018

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1134 on: January 29, 2018, 07:52:25 AM »
One thing I don't get is I'm seeing a lot of people give really long notices.  What's up with that?  Maybe I'm a jerk, but nobody I work with or for is going to know I'm leaving until 2 weeks before I do.
I agree with SugarMountain.  I have 2 months to go and while some friends know about my impending departure, I have no intention of telling the boss until I have my year-end bonus in hand and then I will give 2 weeks notice.  I hope to hit my 30th anniversary with the company with my end date just for fun.  The countdown continues...

NinetyFour

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1135 on: January 29, 2018, 09:36:08 AM »
I teach in higher ed, so it's expected that we give lots of notice so our departments can adjust course schedules, do searches for new hires, etc.  Although one colleague up and quit right at the start of this semester...  Probably burned some bridges, but maybe he didn't care.

honeyfill

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1136 on: January 29, 2018, 10:38:52 AM »
I just got this notice from HR:
"In addition, rather than having a match each pay period, any match will be paid annually in a lump sum by the end of the January following the calendar year. This benefit rewards loyal employees who choose to remain at Megacorp with an increased match formula. To be eligible for any match for a given year, participants generally need to remain actively employed by megacorp through and including December 15 of that year. "

I'm not sure if this is the place to post it but this burns me up.  There is no way I am working to Dec 15.  Do any of you have a similar rule for your 401K's?  this just makes me want to retire even earlier now! I was seriously considering delaying to June or July but now I'm back to my April 2 date. 
« Last Edit: January 29, 2018, 11:16:14 AM by honeyfill »

honeyfill

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1137 on: January 29, 2018, 10:58:33 AM »
Quote
I just got this notice from HR:
"In addition, rather than having a match each pay period, any match will be paid annually in a lump sum by the end of the January following the calendar year. This benefit rewards loyal employees who choose to remain at Megacorp with an increased match formula. To be eligible for any match for a given year, participants generally need to remain actively employed by Megacorp through and including December 15 of that year. "

I'm not sure if this is the place to post it but this burns me up.  There is no way I am working to Dec 15.  Do any of you have a similar rule for your 401K's?  this just makes me want to retire even earlier now! I was seriously considering delaying to June or July but now I'm back to my April 2 date.


Just dug a little deeper into the policy.  It is not effective until April 6 this year.  It's like they took my fire date into account when they wrote it!   So now it is really official, I am retiring the first week of April.  Put me down for April 6th! (I can suffer 4 more days for the extra  match)
« Last Edit: January 29, 2018, 11:07:20 AM by honeyfill »

homestead neohio

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1138 on: January 29, 2018, 11:02:20 AM »
Hi @honeyfill .  I'm not sure I'd advertise my employer name like that, may want to redact it.

I'm not surprised to hear of an employer making this change, and it seriously sucks for anyone who is leaving and is 100% vested in their employer match.  It is a benefit they choose to give and changing the rules can save them tons of money by not providing the benefit when people leave the company.  Most annual bonuses are paid out this way, only if you complete the prior calendar year and remain employed at the time the bonus is paid (March for my company).   I am happily still getting matched each pay and would be seriously pissed if they changed the rules on me in my last year.

wordnerd

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1139 on: January 29, 2018, 11:04:53 AM »
One thing I don't get is I'm seeing a lot of people give really long notices.  What's up with that?  Maybe I'm a jerk, but nobody I work with or for is going to know I'm leaving until 2 weeks before I do.
I agree with SugarMountain.  I have 2 months to go and while some friends know about my impending departure, I have no intention of telling the boss until I have my year-end bonus in hand and then I will give 2 weeks notice.  I hope to hit my 30th anniversary with the company with my end date just for fun.  The countdown continues...

I must work in an unusually rumor-prone place, but if I told anyone at my work (even friends) that I was leaving, the whole organization would know within 36 hours :)

Gimesalot

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1140 on: January 29, 2018, 11:14:21 AM »
Hi @honeyfill .  I'm not sure I'd advertise my employer name like that, may want to redact it.

I'm not surprised to hear of an employer making this change, and it seriously sucks for anyone who is leaving and is 100% vested in their employer match.  It is a benefit they choose to give and changing the rules can save them tons of money by not providing the benefit when people leave the company.  Most annual bonuses are paid out this way, only if you complete the prior calendar year and remain employed at the time the bonus is paid (March for my company).   I am happily still getting matched each pay and would be seriously pissed if they changed the rules on me in my last year.

The thing is that this sucks for current employees too because they miss out on dollar cost averaging throughout the year.

@honeyfill congratulations on setting an April date.  It will be here before you know it.

homestead neohio

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1141 on: January 29, 2018, 11:23:07 AM »
Hi @honeyfill .  I'm not sure I'd advertise my employer name like that, may want to redact it.

I'm not surprised to hear of an employer making this change, and it seriously sucks for anyone who is leaving and is 100% vested in their employer match.  It is a benefit they choose to give and changing the rules can save them tons of money by not providing the benefit when people leave the company.  Most annual bonuses are paid out this way, only if you complete the prior calendar year and remain employed at the time the bonus is paid (March for my company).   I am happily still getting matched each pay and would be seriously pissed if they changed the rules on me in my last year.

The thing is that this sucks for current employees too because they miss out on dollar cost averaging throughout the year.

@honeyfill congratulations on setting an April date.  It will be here before you know it.

Absolutely!  I was pissed when my employer delayed purchases by 2 weeks when making payroll changes between medium corp and megacorp during acquisition.  Then I found out that 401k purchases are further delayed by another week due to some stall between megacorp and 401k provider.  I used to get paid every other Friday for the two weeks I just finished working, and the 401k purchase occurred on that payday, which was awesome.   But 3 weeks is nothing compared to 11 months.

Glad this is not going to affect honeyfill.  I do feel bad for the co-workers, though.

SugarMountain

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1142 on: January 29, 2018, 01:09:51 PM »
I just got this notice from HR:
"In addition, rather than having a match each pay period, any match will be paid annually in a lump sum by the end of the January following the calendar year. This benefit rewards loyal employees who choose to remain at Megacorp with an increased match formula. To be eligible for any match for a given year, participants generally need to remain actively employed by megacorp through and including December 15 of that year. "

I'm not sure if this is the place to post it but this burns me up.  There is no way I am working to Dec 15.  Do any of you have a similar rule for your 401K's?  this just makes me want to retire even earlier now! I was seriously considering delaying to June or July but now I'm back to my April 2 date.

A company I worked for in the early 90s had a similar policy, although it was 6 months, they paid the match July 1 & Jan 1. 

Which reminds me of one of my shrewder moves.  I was moving out of state, but my company was just starting to dabble in remote work, so I said, "I'm moving to Denver, but I'd be happy to keep working remotely," which they agreed to.  We did a couple month trial run and the infrastructure to support it really wasn't there, so at the end of October my boss said it wasn't going to work long term and he'd like to end it at the end of November.  I countered with, "why don't I just finish out the year."  He was perfectly happy with that.  Boom.  Got my 401k match, year end bonus (I was shocked by that one), and the kicker was you accrued vacation annually so I got my 4 weeks of vacation by being on the payroll 12/31, which they paid me for in my last check.  All told it worked out to almost 3 months additional pay (+actual pay for working in December.)  I did a lot of skiing that winter before finding a job in the spring.  I guess that was my first mini-retirement.  I'm hoping for something more permanent this time around.

cerat0n1a

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1143 on: January 29, 2018, 10:09:08 PM »
Another one with a contractual obligation to give 3 months notice. I've seen cases where both parties have mutually agreed to waive the requirement and have a shorter notice period. I've also seen people being on "gardening leave" for the 3 months - getting paid but not having to come to work. I know the day I plan to quit, but I won't know exactly when my last day at work will be until we have these conversations.

brooklynguy

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1144 on: January 30, 2018, 09:03:38 AM »
I gave notice yesterday.  The effusive reaction I received from all the partners in my practice group has completely wrecked my sense of humility.  After the outpouring of praise and affection and blank check offers to get me to stay, I'm going to need to spend my entire FIRE decompression phase trying to deflate my overinflated ego.  Even the worldwide stock market is tanking on the news of my exit from the workforce.

I still need to firm up an official end date, but February 28th is still looking likely.

homestead neohio

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1145 on: January 30, 2018, 09:12:44 AM »
I gave notice yesterday.  The effusive reaction I received from all the partners in my practice group has completely wrecked my sense of humility.  After the outpouring of praise and affection and blank check offers to get me to stay, I'm going to need to spend my entire FIRE decompression phase trying to deflate my overinflated ego.  Even the worldwide stock market is tanking on the news of my exit from the workforce.

I still need to firm up an official end date, but February 28th is still looking likely.

Congrats, @brooklynguy!  I'm sure all the praise and affection is deserved. 

As far as the markets, I'm ok with a little buying opportunity, just don't wreck it for the rest of us by triggering a years long recession!  But I suppose that is out of your control... 

NinetyFour

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1146 on: January 30, 2018, 09:24:50 AM »
Congratulations, @brooklynguy !!

DavidAnnArbor

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1147 on: January 30, 2018, 10:00:11 AM »
I gave notice yesterday.  The effusive reaction I received from all the partners in my practice group has completely wrecked my sense of humility.  After the outpouring of praise and affection and blank check offers to get me to stay, I'm going to need to spend my entire FIRE decompression phase trying to deflate my overinflated ego.  Even the worldwide stock market is tanking on the news of my exit from the workforce.

I still need to firm up an official end date, but February 28th is still looking likely.

Has all the praise made you reconsider whether you want to stay an additional year?

Mr Mark

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1148 on: January 30, 2018, 10:51:46 AM »
Great way to exit Brooklynguy! Congrats!

Frugal-Investor

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Re: 2018 FIRE cohort
« Reply #1149 on: January 30, 2018, 11:21:57 AM »
Just a brief note from the class of FIRE 2013.

I absolutely love how the cohort of 2018 uses the word 'downshift' to talk about options that are in between working flat out and yanking back on the Lazy-Boy chair lever. I've seen my partner learn to love work again when it is a day a week as a fractional IT director for a local non-profit. Its also quite cool that you guys are doing earnest planning but not expecting all the lights to be green before you FIRE. And, great use of descriptive English and metaphors (or similes?) like popping the chute, hitting the exit, pulling the lever.

And one comment, looking back to when I was deciding to FIRE. I was concerned with whether my assets were sufficient and what to spend when. I understand now that the financial lingo and methods around scaffolding assets is purposefully and needlessly complex. Financially, the most important thing for me and partner has been having a simple financial strategy (spend on what we value, adjust spending as needed, preserve tax-sheltered assets). Having free time, an analytical bent, creativity and willingness to be curious solves for all else.

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!